Participant Group: Young and adult carers

Create wins Children & Young People Now Highly Commended Young Carers Award

Posted on November 24, 2023 by - News

Create wins Children & Young People Now Highly Commended Young Carers Award

Last night, Create’s work with young carers was recognised with a prestigious Children & Young People Now Highly Commended award. We were selected – along with category winner Carers in Hertfordshire (congratulations!) from a shortlist of five amazing organisations, and we are delighted to see our work with young carers recognised in this way.

Our Director of Programmes, Kristian Sakulku and I attended the ceremony, an evening that celebrates the work of those working with children, young people and families across the UK. At a time of huge societal challenge, it was so good for our sector to be able to let our hair down for an evening. The event’s celebratory tone was set from the start with a vibrant performance by South London Samba which received rapturous applause. Kristian and I were delighted to see the arts front and centre and the young performers were amazing! The evening was compered by actress, author and former CBeebies presenter, Cerrie Burnell.

Create's inspired:arts project celebrated at the Children & Young People Now Awards

The Children & Young People Now Awards have become the gold standard for everyone working with children, young people and families. Now in their 18th year, these awards are a great source of pride and recognition for all those who strive to improve the lives of others. They raise the profile of projects and initiatives to funders and the general public, and showcase learning and best practice from across the country. Crucially, entrants must be able to provide evidence that what they have done has had a positive impact on young lives. There were more than 500 entries, from which 117 were shortlisted for the 24 awards.

SO WHAT DID WE WIN?

The Young Carers Award for ‘the initiative that has done the most to support children, young people or young adults up to 25 who care for a family member or friend with an illness, disability, mental health problem or addition.’

We were Highly Commended for inspired:arts, the collective name used within the application for our extensive family of young carer programmes:  inspired:arts, art:space, change:matters, community:matters and creative:me, that give young carers a break from their caring responsibilities and enable them to develop new skills and peer support.

Celebrating Create's win at the Children & Young People Now Awards

To have been recognised for our work with young carers (one of seven strands of our work across the UK that uses the creative arts to empower the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable children and adults), amongst so many other outstanding organisations and individuals, is a real privilege. Knowing that we were selected not only by a panel of 18 adult judges but also by a panel of 10 young judges – placing young people at the centre of the process – was particularly meaningful.

People Need To Create and we are deeply committed to raising awareness of the empowering qualities of engaging in the creative arts. To have been acknowledged with this Children and Young People Now Highly Commended award is a wonderful recognition of the deep commitment to our work with young carers shown by our funders, our dedicated staff team and the inspirational professional artists who deliver our programmes.

To read about our work with young carers, click here.

Nicky Goulder, Founding Chief Executive

artspace Southwark music project

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CARERS RIGHTS DAY 2023: MEET LUCAS, A YOUNG ADULT CARER FROM UXBRIDGE

Posted on November 23, 2023 by - Stories

creative voices Uxbridge animation

CARERS RIGHTS DAY 2023: MEET LUCAS, A YOUNG ADULT CARER FROM UXBRIDGE

Thursday 23 November 2023 is Carers Rights Day, an annual observance dedicated to raising awareness about the rights and challenges of unpaid carers in the UK. This year, we are sharing experiences from our recent creative:voices project with young adult carers in Uxbridge.

Did you know that there are at least 376,000 young adult carers in the UK? Young adult carers are young people aged 16–25 who care, unpaid, for a family member or friend with an illness, disability, mental health condition or addiction.

We designed creative:voices to alleviate feelings of isolation and enhance wellbeing, enriching carers’ sense of belonging in their community and increasing their confidence in themselves and their abilities.

We chatted to young adult carer Lucas (18) about his experience on creative:voices in Uxbridge, West London. Lucas explained how he got creative with other carers on our six-week animation project delivered by our professional filmmaker Linda Mason.

LIFE AT HOME

“I care for my mum, and I’ve been a carer for about four or five years now. My mum has something called Lyme disease where she can struggle to walk. It’s quite complicated. I started taking on caring responsibilities because my dad is at work, and my brothers have moved out.

“Sometimes it’s stressful when you want to do stuff and can’t because of your caring responsibilities. I think it’s worth it, though, for the benefit of my mum.”

i felt proud when i completed my animation.

lucas

BOOSTING CREATIVITY

“I took part in Create’s six-week stop motion animation project. I had different ideas and created a few different animations, adding sound and using different objects to create the stop motions.

“Creativity is boosted when you’re getting ideas from other people, and when there are other people taking part together. You get in this bubble with lots of creativity, which you can then use for other projects. It’s a good way to express how you’re feeling and distract yourself from life. I’ve realised I am more creative than I thought I was. Once I start thinking, the ideas start to flow. It’s made me more confident because I’ve found other things I can excel and do well in.

“I felt proud when I completed my animation. I showed my parents what I had created because I felt pride.

Create projects enable you to express emotions you may have bottled up.

LUCAS

working with others

“It’s fun working with others because it helps with your creativity when everyone collectively comes together. Everyone got along well. I liked working with [Create’s filmmaker] Linda. She was really good for ideas and helping out. She got my brain working.

“Projects like this help carers because they help you get away from stuff and they enable you to express any emotions that you may have been bottling up. You express emotions that you can’t express through anything else.”

This project is funded by The Smiles Fund, awarding funds from Comic Relief and Walkers.

Meet young carer Layla: “THERE ARE NO RULES TO CREATIVITY!”

Posted on August 18, 2023 by - Stories

art:space Tunbridge Wells

Meet young carer Layla: “THERE ARE NO RULES TO CREATIVITY!”

Young carers from Tunbridge Wells participated in our art:space 3D sculpture project with Create artist Sam Haynes. Developed in 2007 in partnership with British Land, art:space was our first project with young carers and has been running for 16 years. The project continues to give young carers vital time to do something for themselves and a way to express themselves through the creative arts.  

Young carer Layla (11) took part in our art:space 3D sculpture project and shared her experiences with us.

Young carers creating 3D models

“On this project we have been making crowns out of wire and lots of different materials such as foam and plastic jewels. We cut the foam how we wanted to and stuck it to the crown and it was it was really fun. We’re making a sculpture of two crowns which is going to be displayed in Royal Victoria Place. “I’ve enjoyed making new friends on this project, getting messy, and overall just creating stuff because I don’t often get the opportunity to be creative at home. I’ve learnt that sculpture looks quite easy but really, it’s not. You need practice. And obviously you get really messy, so you need to be used to that as well. But when I complete my artwork, I feel like I’ve achieved something. It’s like a reward that I made for myself. It’s the finishing touch. At the end of a race, you get a medal. At the end of an art project, you get that final piece of artwork. It makes you feel really happy.

at the end of a race, you get a medal. at the end of an art project, you get that final piece of artwork. it makes you feel really happy.

layla

art is everywhere

“The project made me feel really positive emotions. I’ve been a creative person since I was young but I don’t normally have many resources to make art at home, so it’s nice to do something different. If you’ve been painting your whole life, it’s nice to try a different artform. If you have that creative mindset, you can do anything. You don’t always have to use your paints and your hands, you can use your feet if you want to. There’s no rules to creativity.

art:space Tunbridge Wells
Young carer and Create artist Sam Haynes spray painting their models

“We would have nothing if it wasn’t for art, because art isn’t just painting. Art is making things, art can even be baking, it can be cooking. Putting up a shelf is artistic because you’re decorating your house. Sometimes you’re creating and you don’t notice it, so it’s really important because we do it much more than we expect.

There are no rules to creativity!

layla

“One thing this project has taught me is that you don’t always have to be good at art to be creative. Not everyone is going to like your artwork anyway. You can be the best artist in the world and still, not everyone is going to like your work. Someone could look at an art project and say ‘that is the best art project I’ve ever seen’, and then someone could say ‘I really don’t like it’. But it shouldn’t stop you creating. The point of being an artist is you don’t care what other people think, you care what you think. If you don’t like it, that’s when you need to improve it. But if someone else doesn’t like it, don’t listen to them. That shouldn’t affect you because you made that piece of art and you should be happy that you made it.  

creating together

art:space Tunbridge Wells
Young carers creating their models and making new friends on art:space Tunbridge Wells

“Working with [Create artist] Sam was good. I find her funny. Working with the rest of the group was very entertaining because I made new friends. It was really cool because the group is really funny and kind and we joked around all the time. The project has taught me independence because I’ve learned that I don’t always need to be with my friends. Being creative with other people on the project helped me make new friends and build connections. If you make good friends through something creative, you’ll want to be creative together again. It’s not like you meet them and then you never see them again. You can actually meet someone and say, ‘Hey, I think we’re going to be pretty good friends. We should stay in touch.”

art:space is a partnership with British Land.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH BRITISH LAND

artspace Southwark music project

BRITISH LAND: A 20-YEAR PARTNERSHIP

“We focus on how we can maximise our social impact and use that to create thriving places. By working with Create, we’ve been able to leverage our strengths and our resources to achieve this.”

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VOICES FROM ADULT CARERS AT CREATIVE:VOICES EXHIBITION

Posted on June 26, 2023 by - News

VOICES FROM ADULT CARERS AT CREATIVE:VOICES EXHIBITION

An exhibition celebrating the artwork of adult carers in Edinburgh and Glasgow took place from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 June 2023, with a private view on Thursday evening. Displaying a variety of dynamic photography, the artwork was developed in a programme of online photography workshops as part of Create’s creative:voices project, empowering adult carers through the creative arts.

creative voices edinburgh glasgow exhibition
creative voices edinburgh glasgow exhibition

In attendance were participants, staff from Care for Carers Edinburgh and Glasgow East End Community Carers, and friends and family. Separated by a screen for two years, the private view, which took place on the evening of 15 June, was truly a special occasion. Carers who had worked together online throughout lockdown were able to meet and celebrate each other’s artwork.

during the project, his self-esteem lifted, he was going into the garden for the first time and his communication improved.

support worker of create participant

Family and friends

Shirley*, a creative:voices photography participant, said “The project inspired me to go off on my own for a walk after dinner on a really lovely still night. There was an amazing sunset and I was just playing around with composition and trying to remember what I’ve been taught. These photos were the result of that. Seeing my work hung professionally is great. My friend has been dragging people in and telling everyone who the photographer is!”

Shirley sunset phototography
creative:voices participant Shirley’s sunset photography

Adult carer and Create participant Susie* (read her story here) enjoyed Create’s photography project so much so that she took part twice. Susie was unable to attend the private view, so she sent her husband along instead. He spoke to us about the impact of the project on their family.

“During the pandemic Susie was able to join online projects and learn photography. Today I’m at the photography exhibition so I can see this new part of her. The pictures look so professional and she’s blown me away with the quality of the work she’s generated. It’s so artistic. They’re all beautiful colours; oranges and yellows, bright cheerful colours. I know Susie got a chance to look at the exhibition yesterday and she came out tearful. I’m very proud of her.

Susie's husband taking photos of her artwork
Susie’s husband taking photos of her artwork

I do not believe we would have the life together that we have if it wasn’t for the support of organisations like yours.

husband of adult carer susie

“Susie having a break is a reset for us both. I would never stop her doing any of the projects because we all benefit from it. I’d like to thank these organisations for supporting her, they really make a difference to our lives. I do not believe we would have the life together that we have if it wasn’t for the support of organisations like yours.”

“They’ve said that after the exhibition the artwork can be returned to the artists. Hopefully I’ll receive them before Susie comes back from her vacation and I can mount them on the wall. Whenever there’s a tough day she can look at them and remember what she has achieved.”

A photograph taken by adult carer Susie on Create's creative:voices Edinburgh and Glasgow project
A photograph taken by adult carer Susie on Create’s creative:voices Edinburgh and Glasgow project

The evening was full of touching stories. One came from a support worker who has been working closely with an adult carer and her husband who has brain damage:

“The wife couldn’t leave her husband. He had brain damage and was unable to leave the house. She wasn’t getting a break and felt their lives had become completely separate as they had nothing in common. It was going down a rocky road so she asked me what she could get involved in. Care For Carers told us about the online photography project they were running with Create. The couple ended up participating in the project together. To begin with, the husband was non-verbal but during the project, his self-esteem lifted, he was going into the garden for the first time and his communication improved. His wife attributed all of this to them taking part in the Create project together.”

Erica, a Co-ordinator at Care For Carers, shared why giving carers a voice through the creative arts is important. “In many ways, caring is quite an invisible thing. It’s something that people get on with and though it can be really rewarding, it can be really difficult too. Giving people the opportunity to express themselves, learn a new skill or talk to other people in similar situations is important. It might just be for an hour, but it’s an hour they can focus on themselves.”

Create Founding CEO Nicky said “It has been deeply moving to witness the depth of the relationships built online during lockdown, a time during which the lives of carers were made that much more difficult. The artwork on display at the creative:voices Edinburgh and Glasgow exhibition, and the stories that have been shared, are a testament to the impact creativity can have on an individual, and on society.”

*Names have been changed to protect anonymity.

creative:voices Edinburgh and Glasgow is supported by First Sentier Investors.

read susie’s story

A photograph taken by adult carer Susie on Create's creative:voices Edinburgh and Glasgow project

HOW SUSIE BECAME A CARER OVERNIGHT

“For the last 14 years I’ve been caring. Me and my husband worked, we had our own business. Then, the accident happened. He had a heart attack stopping a crime and got a brain injury, and that’s where it all stopped. This is how I became a carer overnight.”

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artwork gallery

How Susie became a carer overnight

Posted on June 26, 2023 by - Stories

A photograph taken by adult carer Susie on Create's creative:voices Edinburgh and Glasgow project

How susie became a carer overnight

Since 2021, adult carers from Edinburgh and Glasgow have come together for a series of online projects with Create – delivered via our Create Live! Zoom format – led by our professional artists in the artforms of photography, visual art and zine. Separated by 50 miles and a global pandemic, the partnership began during the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing carers together during a time of extreme isolation to develop both creative skills and friendships through a screen.

A photograph taken by adult carer Susie on Create's creative:voices Edinburgh and Glasgow project
A photograph taken by adult carer Susie on Create’s creative:voices Edinburgh and Glasgow project

In recent weeks, the group have taken part in a photography project under the guidance of Create photographer Alejandra Carles-Tolra.  On Thursday 15 June, the participants were finally able to meet in person when they attended an exhibition celebrating their remarkable artwork. We spoke to Susie about her experiences and what she gained from our creative:voices Edinburgh and Glasgow project.

“[THE PROJECT] GIVES ME A BREAK FROM EVERYTHING ELSE I DO.”

Susie’s story

“I’m 48, so for the last 14 years I’ve been caring. Me and my husband worked, we had our own business. Then, the accident happened. He had a heart attack stopping a crime and got a brain injury, and that’s where it all stopped. This is how I became a carer overnight. I was also busy raising our daughter and keeping the house. There was no time for me to do anything. Now, our daughter is 16 and I feel that I’m still young enough to learn something. I would like to teach myself further. Photography is something that moves me, so I wonder, could I develop my skills more?  

“I don’t normally have a chance to do creative things. Often when I’m out and about, I would take a second to capture a photo with my phone, but nothing like this project. As carers, we’re just so occupied, it’s non-stop.

“[The project has been] educational. It might give me a chance in the future to do something else with what I’ve learnt. I really enjoyed it. It gives me a break from everything else I do.

re-awakening creativity

“[At these workshops] I’ve discovered this creativity that I didn’t know existed until Alejandra started guiding me. She makes me think about this task only and nothing else, and that is great for me, to be able to take my mind off other things and just concentrate on the specific task.

“After taking part in the project, I can create my own artificial light and do things that I never thought I could. I’ve learnt we can create amazing art with simple things around the house. It’s been a process of, “I had no idea I could use that” and then I try it and it works!

It’s very good to see what other people have come up with, too. It’s encouraging and gives me more ideas. It has made me learn new things.

learning something new

“Photography is something that I always wanted to do as a hobby, and definitely something I’m interested in. This project is just giving me a fresh breath of air and opportunity to learn, create and actually be guided to do things: something as simple as using the camera on my own phone.

A photograph taken by adult carer Susie on Create's creative:voices Edinburgh and Glasgow project
A photograph taken by adult carer Susie on Create’s creative:voices Edinburgh and Glasgow project

“I can use the skills that I’ve learnt to take a picture of a flower or bird. It makes me feel better and happier. Now I know how to use the colours or change my position so I can get better lighting. It makes me feel like I’ve learnt something. I think it’s important for us to make the time to educate ourselves.

I have learnt that I can do this. I have learnt that I’ve got more confidence, and I feel more empowered that I can do photography.

It was great to hear the other carers admiring my photos. It was just so pleasing to hear that someone actually likes what I did. One carer said “I could have this on my wall”. It’s nice to hear that from someone else.”

creative:voices Edinburgh and Glasgow is supported by First Sentier Investors.

MEET AMARI: “I WILL USE WHAT I’VE LEARNT WHEN I’M A BUSINESSMAN”

Posted on May 24, 2023 by - Stories

change matters enfield project

MEET AMARI: “I WILL USE WHAT I’VE LEARNT WHEN I’M A BUSINESSMAN”

In a 2023 Carers Trust survey, 56% of young carers said that the cost-of-living crisis affects them and their family. With 17% of young carers aged 16-17 helping with financial matters in the home, financial education is more important than ever.

Recently, we ran our change:matters project in Enfield. change:matters is our project supporting young carers by enhancing their financial literacy using creative artforms. In partnership with Chickenshed, an inclusive theatre company, we ran drama workshops to explore the emotional impact that debt and poor money management can have.

Amari, a young carer from Enfield, attended the project and shared his experiences.

“Saving is the Future” is a poem written by a group of young carers in Enfield on our creative arts project, change:matters. Here it is performed by young carer Amari and Nurturing Talent artist Autumn Sharkey.

“I care for my brother and my mum. My mum has scoliosis and my brother has autism and Tourette’s. I think I was about five years old when I began my caring role, which involves making my brother and my mum meals. I spend all day caring, as I just do what I can to help out. My experiences are different to someone who doesn’t have caring responsibilities.

“During change:matters we learnt about money and budgeting. We did this through drama workshops with Create and Chickenshed. In the workshops we were learning about money by acting out what people being in debt felt like, and what happens when the bailiffs come.

“I learnt that what can really help for budgeting is a shopping list. There’s a current account, which is when you use [the account] every day. Then there’s a savings account.  That’s where you put some money from your work, just in case you’re saving for something. Then there’s also a debit card that you use almost every day and a credit card that you use to pay back. I’ve learnt about budgeting. I also learnt about interest, which is when you can put money in the bank and get more a year later. I will definitely use what I have learnt because I would like to be a businessman when I’m older. I think it will help me to have a lot more money through budgeting and saving more.

“Spending time with other young carers made me feel great. I feel happy that I get to speak to other young people who are going through something similar to me. I found it really great and fun. I got to socialise and learn at the same time. I really enjoyed it, and wish I could do it again.”

change:matters in Enfield was funded by The Chartered Accountants’ Livery Charity.

calc

Meet Ava and Luisa: “WE CREATED A MASTERPIECE!”

Posted on May 24, 2023 by - Stories

change:matters Staffordshire artwork

meet ava and luisa: “WE CREATED A MASTERPIECE!”

change:matters Staffordshire artwork
change:matters Staffordshire artwork created by young carers

A carer is someone who provides unpaid care by looking after an ill, frail or disabled family member, friend or partner. According to Carers UK, there are an estimated 6.5 million carers across the UK, of which an estimated 800,000 are children and young people. 

Our change:matters project enables young carers to explore money and financial education creatively, engaging their imaginations and nurturing their wellbeing at the same time.

We chatted to Ava and Luisa about their experience on change:matters in Staffordshire.

MEET AVA

“My caring responsibilities began when my brother was born, about six or seven years ago. As a young carer, I definitely feel that my life is different from others my age. I spend all my time caring. Even when I’m not home, I’m on standby or on call, in case something happens. I’m worried about my family, especially when I’m not there. Most people go to college or education settings but they don’t have any worries. I find that if I’m at college, I get worried about what’s happening at home.

LEARNING SOMETHING NEW

“During this project we went food shopping to find out what the best prices would be at certain places. We learnt about savings accounts and current accounts and what the difference between these is, as well as credit and debit cards. Then we made animations, which involved stop-motion and cutting out things. I really enjoyed working with my group, they were really nice; and [Create artist] Chloe is lovely! She’s someone you’d want to be friends with because she’s laid back.

“The top three things I learnt on change:matters were the difference between a credit and debit card; the difference between interest rates and loans, because I thought that would come in useful in the future; and that it’s probably cheaper to shop in Lidl than anywhere else! I’ll definitely use what I’ve learnt in the future.

LETTING GO THROUGH CREATIVITY

“In college, I have to do work, which I feel stunts my creativity, because I want to be creative but I have a task to follow. I’ve been able to let go a little here, because it’s a project for young carers, as opposed to feeling selfish because I’m going out just to enjoy myself, so it’s less stressful. I’m learning on this project, so I’m not feeling as guilty because it’s helpful for my situation.

“Projects like this help young carers because it teaches us about things that schools probably don’t, but should. It prepares us for life with the stuff we’ve been taught so I think it is really helpful. Not only does it give us a place to go, where we can be less worried and get out the house, but it also gives us something to learn about that we can apply in the future.”

change:matters Staffordshire sharing
change:matters Staffordshire sharing with family and friends

MEET LUISA

“I was around 10 years old when I began caring. I feel the same as Ava, to be honest, I’m always caring and my role still plays on my mind when I’m out. Life as a young carer is definitely difficult, there’s more struggles and concerns.

“I don’t get the chance to be creative normally, because I don’t have drawing pads or anything. Working with my friends on these animations was just amazing and a different experience, and working with [Create artist] Chloe was really fun too.

“We created a masterpiece! Our first theme was savings accounts, and our animation told a story about a piggy who beat up the bank person. The project taught me the difference between debit and credit cards, as well as inspiring me to be creative and gain experience in communication and leadership skills. Projects like this one help young carers because they get our minds away from things and really distract us.”  

change:matters in Staffordshire was funded by The Chartered Accountants’ Livery Charity.

calc

meet anna, a young carer from cambridge

Posted on April 27, 2023 by - News

artspace cambridge

meet anna, a young carer from cambridge

In February 2023, a group of young carers from Cambridge participated in our art:space music project with Create musician Kate Smith. Developed in 2007 with British Land, art:space was our first programme with young carers, and continues to provide young carers in different geographical locations with respite and the chance to develop their creative skills, build their confidence and make new friends.

Anna (13) took part in the three-day art:space music project in Cambridge. She shared her experiences with us.

artspace cambridge

“I’ve been a carer for a few years now. My sister had brain surgery for a brain tumour three years ago. Since then, she’s been on medication. She has been affected long-term because her brain was damaged, and it’s had some emotional effects on her too. I also care for my mum who has ADHD, and I look after both of them as my dad isn’t around. I started caring when I was young and I didn’t really understand everything, but now I get the support I need.

“I NEVER STOPPED SMILING WHEN WE PLAYED MUSIC TOGETHER.”

anna, young carer

discovering creativity

“Before coming to the project, I wanted to do a lot more music but I didn’t know how to get started. The project allowed us to create our own music on guitar and percussion instruments. Kate taught us all the different sounds we can create. We’ve learnt about the different instruments you can hit, and how we can use our body to create sounds. It has given me a lot of inspiration and I feel I’ve got the motivation to try new things. It might encourage me to write a few more songs.

“I think being creative opens a lot of opportunities and thoughts, especially at a young age like mine. In school we do music lessons, but otherwise I don’t always get the opportunity to be creative. Sometimes if I’m in a mood or have something in my brain, I’ll just write it down and see if I can create something. This project was definitely something different and nice to do.

building community

“It’s been great getting to know everyone and meeting a whole bunch of new people. I’ve liked learning about their caring role, that’s been really fun. I never stopped smiling when we were playing music as a group. It was great to be together, and learn about each other’s experiences.

While on the project, we got to meet Dame Evelyn Glennie (Create Patron) at her studio. She showed us a range of percussion instruments, and even let us have a turn playing them! I like when she showed me this plucking instrument, it makes a really nice sound. I was a bit nervous but I got to play it, which was nice. Meeting Dame Evelyn was one of my personal project highlights!

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YOUNG CARERS VISIT WORLD-RENOWNED PERCUSSIONIST DAME EVELYN GLENNIE’S MUSIC STUDIO

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art:space Cambridge is supported by British Land.

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YOUNG CARERS VISIT WORLD-RENOWNED PERCUSSIONIST DAME EVELYN GLENNIE’S MUSIC STUDIO

Posted on April 27, 2023 by - News

YOUNG CARERS VISIT WORLD-RENOWNED PERCUSSIONIST DAME EVELYN GLENNIE’S MUSIC STUDIO

In February 2023, a group of young carers from Cambridge participated in our art:space music project with Create musician Kate Smith. During the project, the group were treated to a special excursion. They visited Create Patron Dame Evelyn Glennie’s music studio and explored her impressive collection of rare percussion instruments. The trip provided them with creative inspiration to take into their music workshops on the following days.

Create Patron Dame Evelyn Glennie has performed worldwide as a percussionist and has composed music for film, television and media libraries. She was awarded an OBE in 1993 and has over 100 international awards to date, including the Polar Music Prize and the Companion of Honour. Evelyn has been a supporter of Create’s work for many years, and became a Patron in 2007.

We spoke to Evelyn about her support of our work, and her session with this passionate group of young carers.

“We’ve had a wonderful gathering of young carers and they have been shown the collection of instruments. We have been reflecting on various ways of listening. We’ve been around the world looking at all the instruments, and sharing ideas and thoughts. The young people were incredibly passionate about the conversations and … I learnt a lot from meeting them, so it’s been a wonderful session.

embracing the individual

“Create is an incredible organisation that really embraces so many different subjects. It isn’t only music, but it’s really about tapping into the story of each individual.

artspace cambridge

“We all need to be inspired and we all are creative beings. Sometimes we just have to find where that seed lies or where the entry point is. Create lets people be given the opportunity. In my case, I was given the opportunity to be introduced to music at school and that set me on my journey. We all need that kind of inspiration. I think it’s all of our duty to connect with others and find out what it is that makes them tick as people, and then try to support that as much as we can.

inspiring futures

“We have seen examples of people wanting to be ambassadors for Create because of their experiences working and collaborating with the incredible team. I think the difference that’s been made to so many people’s lives has been extraordinary.

“It definitely inspired me. I wanted to MAKE more music before but I didn’t know how to get started. Now I’ve got more inspiration and I feel I’ve got the motivation again to try things out.”

art:space cambridge participant

“creativity ignites curiosity”

“Creativity doesn’t mean that you have to be talented at something, it’s quite simply finding that thing that you’re passionate about.”

dame evelyn glennie

“Creativity ignites curiosity. Curiosity often really gets you out of the comfort zone, and it’s really quite healthy to be out of the comfort zone. There’s that wonderful balance of dealing with the unknown, but yet you practise the art of observing, and listening is all about observing.

Create’s Founding CEO Nicky Goulder, who also attended the visit, said: “We are so privileged to have an inspirational group of Patrons who support our work. It’s wonderful to see how they encourage and motivate our participants. These real-world experiences go on to inspire futures. The group of talented young carers in Cambridge had the opportunity to explore creativity through new instruments, sounds and methods, while engaging in a community of like-minded people. They enjoyed themselves so much, and I was so excited to hear the music they created following their visit to Evelyn’s studio.”

MEET ANNA, A YOUNG CARER FROM CAMBRIDGE

Young carer Anna (13) took part in our three-day art:space music project in Cambridge. Read about her experience here.

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listen to music created on art:space cambridge

“Bells”

“It’S GONNA TAKE SOME TIME”

“TICK TOCK”

art:space Cambridge is supported by British Land.

British Land logo

young carers action day 2023: meet JACOB

Posted on March 15, 2023 by - Stories

ycad northern ireland

young carers action day 2023: meet JACOB

Young Carers in Northern Ireland screen the films they created on our inspired:arts YCAD filmmaking project.

During February 2023, our professional artist Linda Mason led filmmaking workshops with young carers from Belfast at Create’s very first project in Northern Ireland. inspired:arts Northern Ireland was part of our Young Carers Action Day (YCAD) programme, which culminated in an online Showcase on Wednesday 15 March.

We spoke to young carer Jacob (12), who shared his experience.

“As a young carer, my life is a bit different to other young people my age. [My peers] aren’t caring for someone but I spend my time helping others. It can limit the time I have to do other things, like homework. But it can also be a positive thing. It enables me to help people.

“WE WERE ABLE TO EXPRESS OUR IDEAS OPENLY.”

JACOB, young carer

“This week I’ve taken part in a filmmaking project. I’ve made two films; a silent movie called “James Blonde”, and we also made a movie about being a young carer and what it’s all about. It showed how Young Carers helps us to be ourselves. I really enjoyed how we were able to make what we wanted. We didn’t have a real set boundary. If you got told that you had to do something like a spy movie, you’d have to do a spy movie, but we didn’t. We just got to do what we wanted. I learnt about angles and how much goes into each shot, and how to plan out each scene. I also learnt how the person behind the camera interacts with actors. The project also improves teamwork skills and being able to express our ideas openly.

“this project felt different. it was immersive!”

JACOB, young carer

“Doing something creative felt enjoyable. I get the chance to be creative at school, in drama or art class, but this felt different. It felt more immersive. I think it’s important to be creative because it helps your brain stay awake.

“I think in the future I’d like to go on to do creative work, but something more arty; and I like photography as well.”

Watch JACOB’s film

young carers action day scotland

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